PETROL COMMISSION.

Grey River Argus, 14 April 1916, Page 3

PETROL COMMISSION.

■ • ■ t- — » rr- :•■ -.- ■ MINISTER CROSS-EXAMINED ALL CHARGES. DENIED (Per TJnited Press Association..) (Received Aprii 13, 8.40 p.m.) / SYDNEY, April 13. ' • ' • At the Petrol Commission the Hon Mr. Griffith gave evidence thart he-up-derstood that there was no charge ;against any- Minister othet than himself. In reply to questions he denied the imputation that Ministers get something out of the Norton, Griffiths loan. It ras simply a piece of political scandal. Over every contract that he had been connected there had been" a trail of these poisonous suggestions. ' '• . - Similarly he denied that he or his colleagues used improper means to influence the Trades Hall in connection uith schemes, or any attempt was made to bribe members of Parliament.^ ... • ■ . Mr. Griffiths asked the Commissioner to take steps to clear him of all these side charges as well as the main s charges; His reputation was involved, and' unless refuted it would be used for political .purposes. ?r *- Cross-examined Mr. Griffiths sa\d that^ if he had been charged with open brokerage and not secret commissions he would have treated it as comic opera and not withdrawn from Parliamentary duties. He declared that Mr. Reed's statement Jhat he (Mr. Griffiths) had -said that Mr. Morgan would want brokerage was incorrect absolutely. He had no idea 'tsat' Mr. Morgan was claiming brokerage' as it would have been most imp'rapef." .>'"'. '~ '' V "" . '